Canacona: Panic has gripped residents of Nunem in Netravali, Sanguem taluka, after a leopard attacked a pet dog last week. The dog was kept on the balcony of local resident Abhijit Desai’s house. The incident, captured on CCTV, has heightened concerns following repeated leopard sightings in the area during evening hours, Desai said.Netravali villagers said leopards are often seen on village roads shortly after dusk. Residents have urged the forest department to intensify night patrolling and implement stronger safety measures to prevent further wildlife encounters. Authorities are expected to review the situation and take appropriate steps.Desai said a similar incident occurred in the second week of Jan this year, when another leopard attacked his pet dog kept on the balcony. “This time too the incident was captured on CCTV camera and the footage was given to the forest guards at Netravali,” Desai told TOI.Meanwhile, leopard sightings have increased in Canacona taluka, particularly in Poinguinim, Agonda, Loliem, Patnem-Colomb and Chaudi. A councillor from Patnem said habitat loss and shrinking prey base have pushed the animals closer to human settlements, where they have been killing pets and attacking livestock.Recently, a leopard lifted a pig from the pigsty of Peter Fernandes of Gotcamolem, causing him a loss.
